Lena and David
22/07/2006
Dunchurch Park Hotel in Rugby, Warwickshire
How and when did you meet?
December 2000. New Year’s Eve to be exact. We were introduced through friends.
How old are you both?
26 and 25.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
At home in the safe sanction of our bedroom, quiet and perfect!
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
Yes, I went to London for the weekend. We went to a West End show and then onto a salsa club. He went to Nottingham paintballing and then onto Hooters! Typical men.
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
None at all. It was fab. He said as long as I liked it, then that was fine with him.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
I found the table planner on your website very handy.
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
In store, lots of sparkly table confetti, confetti cones, and red petals.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
Benjamin Roberts. It was from a small boutique where I live and the dress was called Juliet. It was gold with ivory organza and lot of embroidery detailing all over it.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
Yes, all six of them. Four adults. I had my best friend, Rachel, my cousins, Sam and Meesha, and David’s sister, Naomi. The kids were 12 year old cousin, Becky, and David’s cousin and god daughter three year old, Tanya.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
He had all three of his best mates, Anthony, Jamed and Philip. He asked my brother and his cousin to be ushers.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Civil.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
Dunchurch Park Hotel.
Where did you hold your reception?
Dunchurch Park Hotel.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
Old Daimler Limo in white.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
150 in the day and 350 at night. Turned into a bit of a huge wedding!
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
We had the theme as gold, champagne and red. The marquee even had gold carpet to match!
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
The tables had matching gold name cards to the table planner all in gold. The tables were strewed with gold confetti and red rose petals with gold chairs and ivory linen to match. It was very beautiful.
Did you give your guests favours?
Yes, the women had mini aqua pack flowers—freesias in red and ivory and the men had a miniature spirit each. The kids had sweets in an organza bag each.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
My bouquet was long and tear drop shape. Full massed bunch of Grand Prix red roses, with lots of green trailing bare grass. Bridesmaids had tear drop shaped ivory roses with gold organza in between. David’s buttonhole was a Grand Prix red rose. Best men and ushers had ivory roses and table decorations were an oasis of reds, ivory and cream flowers, roses, lilies, antirrhinums, etc. They were standing on a tall vase in the middle of the tables. The top table display was much the same as the other flowers but more massed, long and trailing with ivy on either side. They were amazing. My florist was Sidwells Florist in Coventry.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The venue did the catering for us. We had an east meets west theme and had a hot fork buffet. We had a mixture of Indian food and traditional English dishes. It was superb. Everyone commented on how good the food was.
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
We had a three tiered sponge cake in ivory with a fountain of red roses trailing down the front of the cake. Then sprinkled with gold sparkly dust.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
We had entertainment all day. Our DJ had brought along the Indian drum players and the DJ played bangra and bollywood tunes as well as party music. We also had a chocolate fountain in the evening.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
No.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
Dubai for five nights and then nine nights in the Maldives. Booked through Kuoni. It was the best time away I have ever had.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Our first dance. It was perfect. Everything I had imagined it to be!
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
Yes, tons! People canceling the day before and then changing their minds once I had given their places away. It was awful.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
I wouldn’t change anything for the world. Our day was perfect. However, advice to others: Have what you both want. Do not let others bully you into decisions. It is your big day. Enjoy every minute as it soon flies by!
